Scarsdale Seniors Call for an E-Bike and Bike Safety Program

Here is a memo drafted by the Advisory Council on Scarsdale Senior Citizens advocating for the creation of safety programming for a bicycle and e-personal transportation safety initiative, sent to the following on October 4, 2026.

Dr. Andrew (Drew) Patrick, Superintendent, Scarsdale Schools;
Suzie Hahn, President, Board of Education
Rokaya Hassaballa, President, Scarsdale PT Council
Mary Leptak, Chair, Council on People with Disabilities
Steven DelBene, Scarsdale Police Chief
Brian Gray, Superintendent, Scarsdale Parks, Recreation & Conservation Department
Jeanette Rosen, Chair, Advisory Council on Youth
Scarsdale Village Government:
Mayor Justin Arest
Deputy Mayor Dara B. Gruenberg
Trustee David J. Goldschmidt
Trustee Jason Kofman
Trustee Tim Foley
Trustee Ron Schulhof
Trustee Scott Silberfein

The proliferation and growing use of electric bicycles and other e-personal transportation devices have intensified safety challenges already associated with traditional bicycles, particularly as pedestrians and cyclists increasingly share limited public space. The Trustees have proposed an update to Scarsdale’s municipal laws related to the use of e-bikes and other electric personal transportation. In conjunction with the adoption of these amendments, the Village and other stakeholders should create a safety program for all forms of personal transportation, electric and non-electric.

THE NEED FOR AN E-BIKE AND BIKE SAFETY PROGRAM IN SCARSDALE

The Advisory Committee on Scarsdale Senior Citizens has informed the Village, through its trustee liaisons, that the use of bicycles and e-bikes on sidewalks presents a serious safety issue in Scarsdale. The adoption of these amendments is an appropriate time to institute a community-wide safety program to address these concerns.

• Community and Educational Priorities: The success of any Village safety initiative will depend on active collaboration among residents, parents, schools, law enforcement, Village government, cyclists, and pedestrian advocates.

• Community awareness of bicycle safety is essential. It is important to keep in mind that crash risks, conflicts with motor vehicles, conflicts with pedestrians and high-speed hazards can occur with traditional bicycles as well as e-bikes, e-scooters, and other e-personal transportation devices. These incidents can result in serious and sometimes devastating injuries.

Sidewalk crowding by bicyclists is exacerbated by the fact that there are no separate bicycle lanes or signage on Scarsdale roads which encourages drivers to ‘share the roads’ with bicyclists. Consequently, adult bike riders may feel compelled to use sidewalks, when they would customarily ride in the street. Motorists need to be mindful that cyclists require sufficient space on the roads to ride safely. Some communities have established separate bicycle lanes on busy roads and use “share the road” signs on popular bicycle routes to reinforce this safety message.

• Adult and parental responsibility should be an important component of any education campaign. Parents and other adults may be unfamiliar with applicable state age restrictions, legal responsibilities, and the physical hazards associated with allowing children to use e- bikes and e-scooters. Education should also address traditional bicycles, particularly the risks faced by inexperienced young riders.

• School and community partnerships offer a direct and proactive way to reach young riders. Reviving structured bicycle-safety instruction, helmet-compliance education, and formal bicycle-registration and inspection programs in schools and possibly through the Recreation Department could provide practical tools to improve safety and accountability. Although not part of the current legislation, bicycle registration requirements could include the need to equip bicycles with horns or bells, along with instruction on using these warning devices when pedestrians are present. Organizations such as the League of American Bicyclists and other bicycle safety organizations offer educational programs and materials that could help support such an initiative.

• Multigenerational collaboration is equally important. Seniors, people with disabilities, and pedestrians can be particularly vulnerable to collisions on sidewalks. Organizations such as the Advisory Council on Scarsdale Senior Citizens can help ensure that pedestrian concerns and the experiences of vulnerable residents are incorporated into community outreach and safety planning.

A COLLABORATIVE PATH FORWARD

The Advisory Council on Scarsdale Senior Citizens is eager to work with Scarsdale schools, the Scarsdale Police Department, Village officials, parents, and community organizations to develop a comprehensive traditional bicycle and e-personal transportation safety initiative.

Updating the Village Code is an important step. Ensuring that residents understand the rules—and have the knowledge and resources to follow them safely—is equally important. A coordinated community effort can help make Scarsdale safer for cyclists, pedestrians, seniors, children, and all residents who share the Village's public spaces.

We urge the Mayor and Board of Trustees to establish an Ad Hoc committee on bike safety comprised of key community representatives.

CC: Members, Advisory Council on Scarsdale Senior Citizens, Members, Advisory Council on Youth, Members, Advisory Council on Scarsdale Senior Citizens, Amy Paulin, New York State Assemblymember, District 88, Myra Saul